Rebuilding Airmatic struts/shocks

[Oonnzo]

Hi all, I swapped over to remanufactured arnott struts/bags on my 2010 R class w/Airmatic/ADS about 2.5 years ago.

Disappointingly the right airbag failed just out of warranty (2 years) and I swapped it out. Pretty much straight after this the strut has failed. I saw fluid pooling under the strut location and I’m getting error code 5220 and specifically y52y1.

I also constantly hear air being released and I suspect the bag is trying to inflate and compensate for the failed strut.

I’ve taken the strut assembly out and checked the wiring which looks fine.

I’ve only ever seen replacements recommended on forums (and mostly for Arnott). Given my recent experience, i’m looking to avoid arnott if I can (and save some $).

Is there anything preventing a specialist suspension shop from rebuilding the strut/shock? This will likely be cheaper too if it can be done

A new Arnott shock (not remanufactured) with bag is close to $2k here in oz. I can get it for $1k Shipped from the states, but if I can just get it rebuilt, I’m sure it will be lots cheaper!

We’re locked down and have a curfew in place here in Melbourne currently so I won’t be using the car for the next 4 weeks at least. I’m also going to restore the leather interior whilst it’s up on the stands (and might even do the oil cooler seals!)

Has anyone had the shocks rebuilt by a local strut/shock specialist before?

 

[Wighty]

@Craiglxviii will have some input into your question , he will be along later

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hmmm. Hi.
I tried to have an ABC strut repaired by Welwyn Merx for a W215. These are different to those on the more numerous R230s out there in a number of ways.

My problem was (at the time) that a new strut was £1100 for a rebuilt core exchange unit. My failed strut had the chrome plating of the ram worn below limits, causing leakage. So I resolved to fix that. Found a local chrome platers that specialised in hydraulic piston repairs, they couldn’t do the work to the tolerance required. Not that there’s a repair manual for these things so a lot of guesswork involved.

Things have improved since I found the Chinese supplier of brand new ABC struts for around £300 a corner...

OP, what’s the part number you require please?

 

[Oonnzo]

Hmmm. Hi.
I tried to have an ABC strut repaired by Welwyn Merx for a W215. These are different to those on the more numerous R230s out there in a number of ways.

My problem was (at the time) that a new strut was £1100 for a rebuilt core exchange unit. My failed strut had the chrome plating of the ram worn below limits, causing leakage. So I resolved to fix that. Found a local chrome platers that specialised in hydraulic piston repairs, they couldn’t do the work to the tolerance required. Not that there’s a repair manual for these things so a lot of guesswork involved.

Things have improved since I found the Chinese supplier of brand new ABC struts for around £300 a corner...

OP, what’s the part number you require please?

Thanks for the input Craig. Based on Wighty’s post, I did a forum search and saw your recommendation on Aliexpress for another poster. I had a look and it looks that supplier sell replacements for my w251

https://a.aliexpress.com/_dStjM1K

I’ve bought heaps of trim parts from Aliexpress for the R (I think China are the only remaining market that continue to sell new R classes) and did see these struts on there previously but was a bit weary of the quality considering they are so cheap!

If you’ve used them before and are happy, I’m willing to take the punt!

A couple of questions though.
Should I change both sides? Two are still half the price of getting one Arnott here!
Are the bags any good?

I’m leaning towards buying two and swapping the arnott bags onto them.

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for the input Craig. Based on Weighty’ post, I did a forum search and saw your recommendation on Aliexpress for another poster. I had a look and it looks that supplier sell replacements for my w251

https://a.aliexpress.com/_dStjM1K

I’ve bought heaps of trim parts from Aliexpress for the R (I think China are the only remaining market that continue to sell new R classes) and did see these struts on there previously but was a bit weary of the quality considering they are so cheap!

If you’ve used them before and are happy, I’m willing to take the punt!

A couple of questions though.
Should I change both sides? Two are still half the price of getting one Arnott here!
Are the bags any good?

I’m leaning towards buying two and swapping the arnott bags onto them.

I know I’ve put a little bit of weight on during lockdown buddy , but “Weighty” instead of “Wighty”

 

[Oonnzo]

Whoops - fixed if it makes you feel any better I’ve put on a bit too

I’ve found a couple of Local sellers on eBay that are selling what looks
to be like the aliexpress units. Can’t match them exactly but there can’t be that many manufactures in China can there?

They are a little more on eBay but shipping is free.

 

[Wighty]

Whoops - fixed if it makes you feel any better I’ve put on a bit too

I’ve found a couple of Local sellers on eBay that are selling what looks
to be like the aliexpress units. Can’t match them exactly but there can’t be that many manufactures in China can there?

They are a little more on eBay but shipping is free.

No problem , as you seem like a nice chap I’ll skip my usual introduction fee for putting you in touch with Craig

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks for the input Craig. Based on Wighty’s post, I did a forum search and saw your recommendation on Aliexpress for another poster. I had a look and it looks that supplier sell replacements for my w251

https://a.aliexpress.com/_dStjM1K

I’ve bought heaps of trim parts from Aliexpress for the R (I think China are the only remaining market that continue to sell new R classes) and did see these struts on there previously but was a bit weary of the quality considering they are so cheap!

If you’ve used them before and are happy, I’m willing to take the punt!

A couple of questions though.
Should I change both sides? Two are still half the price of getting one Arnott here!
Are the bags any good?

I’m leaning towards buying two and swapping the arnott bags onto them.

Not sure if both sides need swapping. I don’t think so.

I’ve not used them for any Airmatic stuff so cannot confirm.

The ABC struts that arrived were brilliant quality, brand new, spot on. However the first Chinese strut failed after about 14 months. However, a good portion of that was with the car stationary and laid up not moving for a whole host of issues, which will have contributed to any problem. They came with 24mth warranty though so the first one will just be returned for refund.

 

[Oonnzo]

Not sure if both sides need swapping. I don’t think so.

I’ve not used them for any Airmatic stuff so cannot confirm.

The ABC struts that arrived were brilliant quality, brand new, spot on. However the first Chinese strut failed after about 14 months. However, a good portion of that was with the car stationary and laid up not moving for a whole host of issues, which will have contributed to any problem. They came with 24mth warranty though so the first one will just be returned for refund.

Hope the refund process goes well. I’ve located a local seller that looks to be clearing stock. $450aud for two!

At this price it’s worth a try - but I will swap out the bags. Warranty should be much easier to deal with locally as well if I need it.

Did I see that you have a R class as well?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hope the refund process goes well. I’ve located a local seller that looks to be clearing stock. $450aud for two!

At this price it’s worth a try - but I will swap out the bags. Warranty should be much easier to deal with locally as well if I need it.

Did I see that you have a R class as well?

I do indeed. They’re on the drive together now...... I need a longer drive!

 

[Oonnzo]

They are such an under rated car - and there isn’t much that can compete for practicality and driving dynamics hence I’m happy to spend a bit maintaining it.

After a 4 year AMG hiatus I’m considering a GL63 next (to replace my E400 convertible). Not sure if I need two 7 seaters in the family though...

 

[Oonnzo]

As an update - the aliexpress units arrived a few weeks ago however I was doing the infamous oil cooler seals so the car was up on stands for a few weeks.

I installed them whilst waiting for parts for the oil cooler and ended up swapping over the airbags on the aliexpress units for the arnott ones.

They inflated fine, my error codes are gone and I can also select the suspension modes again so all looks good. I haven’t been able to take it for a test drive yet though.

The aliexpress struts are visually similar but the airbags are a different design. The top plate, internal structure and material are all different. There are no stampings on either the Aliexpress or OEM units that I could see.

Where the arnotts are a continental rubber type material, the aliexpress are made from a rubber backed canvas type material. Below are a couple of photos comparing the airbags.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Fingers crossed all stays well for you!!!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Yup hope all goes OK. the Conti ones are moulded bellows sleeves- from the pic the alternatives look to be a seam welded Rubberised substrate material of some sort? Time will tell. That said hopefully you'll do better than the remanufactured Arnotts

 

[Oonnzo]

Before heading off on a test drive I did a quick visual inspection and saw that the airbag hadn’t inflated correctly... I remembered that when I swapped it over the bag got fully extended and I thought I mustn’t have reinstalled it correctly.

I removed/refitted/inflated it 3 times to try and get it to sit correctly (with the car still jacked up and playing with the air suspensions setting/levels) but it was no good.

On the 4th time I thought I’d put the wheel back on and dropped the car down so the strut was fully compressed and the airbag had nowhere to bubble. Finally Success!

So for everyone’s else’s benefit - drop the car before inflating an airbag!

 

[Oonnzo]

6 months on, the aliexpress strut I put in seems to be holding up. The remaining Arnott bag has failed after 65000 kms and I’ve just replaced it with the aliexpress bag and strut.

First time I’ve had the aliexpress bag in. Let’s see how long it lasts!

 

[phobos]

6 months on, the aliexpress strut I put in seems to be holding up. The remaining Arnott bag has failed after 65000 kms and I’ve just replaced it with the aliexpress bag and strut.

First time I’ve had the aliexpress bag in. Let’s see how long it lasts!

Hi Oonnzo, can you share which strut supplier did you use, as I think the rear ones in my W221 are dead...

 

[Craiglxviii]

6 months on, the aliexpress strut I put in seems to be holding up. The remaining Arnott bag has failed after 65000 kms and I’ve just replaced it with the aliexpress bag and strut.

First time I’ve had the aliexpress bag in. Let’s see how long it lasts!

Just saw this. Really good result! I’m impressed!

 

[phobos]

@Craiglxviii . How are your ABC struts holding up? ( aprt from the one that stopped working 14 months due to the car being stopped? )

Many thanks

 

[Oonnzo]

Hi Oonnzo, can you share which strut supplier did you use, as I think the rear ones in my W221 are dead...

I ended up buying from ebay but I matched the pics and they were the same pics from aliexpress. I suspect the ebay seller just purchased from Aliexpress and rebranded.

I would recommend finding the aliexpress listing with the most sold and highest rating. I suspect listings are retailers and get their stock from the same source anyway (judging by the similarity of the pics)